Barrel-agitator



C. E. FARRINGTON.

BARREL AGITATOR. APPLICATION FILED AuG.28, I9I8.

1,336,830. Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

CHARLES E. FARRINGTON, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IBARREL-AG'ITATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

Application filed August, 1918. Serial No. 251,786.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. FARRING- Ton` a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania., have invented new and useful Improvements in Barrel-Agitators, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide an instrumentality for use in barrels, casks or other like containers, for effectively' stirring and mixing the contents thereof. In the shipment or storage of certain liquid or semi-liquid compounds, such as paint, etc., in which more or less Solid or semi-solid matter is in suspension or admixture, such matter tends to precipitate or settle at the bottom of the mass, making it difficult to withdraw the mass in condition for use.

The present invention com prlses a stirrer.

or agitator of such form and shape that it may be introduced into the 4container through a bung-hole, and which may be left therein so as to constitute a part thereof, or withdrawn as desired. The agitator has such construction that, on rotation, it cuts. lifts and thoroughly mixes the contents of the container, so that the heavier material is evenly distributed throughout the mass. This result is secured by so fashioning the agitator that different vortices are formed in the liquid by different portions thereof, which vortices tend to travel different paths, and to collide, thereby effectively mixing different portions of the mass.

An agitator embodying the invention is capable of use in containers formed of different materials such as wood or metal, and, in either case, the hole through which it is introduced may be sealed, while the agitator is in place, the cover or seal serving also as means for transmitting rotation to the agitator.

On the accompanying drawings,-

Figure 1 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which the agitator is utilized in a steel cask or drum.

Fig. 2 represents a section of the same on the line 2 2 of F ig. 1. l

Fig. 3 represents a section on the line 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. -l illust-rates in section on a larger scale the upper end of the agitator-and the seal or cover which is used with metallic containers.

Fig. 5 represents in similar section a seal or cover which may be used with Wooden containers.

Fig. 6 represents in plan view one of the last-mentioned seals or coversdetached.

Fig. 7 shows in section the lower portion of a wooden barrel, and the pivot stud for the agitator.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the container is made of metal and is substantially barrel-shaped. It is provided with side walls 10 and the upper and lower ends 11, 12. In the upper end of the barrel there is formed an aperture 13 which is concentric with the axis of the container and which is of approximately bung-hole7 size. It is through this hole that the agitator or stirrer is introduced into the container. In the lower head or end 12 there is secured a concentricA pivot stud which projects thereinto as shown. This stud, which is indicated at 14, may be formed in any suitable way. As Shown, it consists of a pin having a flange 15 and having an upsetting extremity 16. By a suitable instrumentality the pin is introduced through the bung-hole of the barrel, and its extremity is forced through an aperture 17 formed in the head 12. A washer 18 is then slipped upon the extremity, and the extremity of the stud is upset or headed over as shown at 16 so as to make a tight joint. This stud or pin serves as the pivot about which thelower end of the agitator is swung.

The stirrer or agitator consists primarily of a relatively thin elongated flat bar or blade which is bent into a shape to be described. It isso bent that, when it is in place, there is provided a radially outwardly extending portion a which is edgewise vertically as 'shown in Fig. 2. To the extremity of this portion a there is secured a foot or angle piece 19 which is apertured to engage the stud or pivot 14. The other end portion of the bar is indicated at Z), and is approximatelyv vertical so that its median line coincides with the axis of the container and of the Stud 14. This portion and the extremity of portion a including the foot 19. respectively constitute what may be termed the shank and the anchoring portions of the blade or bar. The lower portion a of the blade extends outwardly toward the wall of the container, the blade being then twisted and bent upwardly to pro-vide an eccentrically arranged approximately vertical portion c, and twisted and bent to form an upwardly and inwardly inclined portion d. Between the middle of the portion b and the inner extremity of the portion a, the bar is twisted through an -arc of approximately 180, thereby providing a curved portion e, the function of which is to lift the material with which it comes in contact. From the middle of the portion d, the blade is twisted in the,r same direction as before through an, arc of approximately 180o to provide the curved portion f, and from the middle of portion d to the flat portion b the blade is again twisted through an arc of approximately 90. Thus, between the extremities a and b, the blade or bar is twisted once and one-quarter times so` that the portion b lies flatwise in a plane which is at an angle of approximately 90O Vto the plane in which this portion a lies. The blade has no sharp angles and consequently it can easily be introduced. endwise through the bunghole 13 by manipulating it with a little care, and the foot 19 may easily be brought into axial registration with the stud 14 so as to engage it therewith. In this position, the upper end of the shank b projects a short distance beyond the head or upper end 11 of/the container, and is engaged with a cover for the hole -in the head of the container. In thecase of a metal container, an annular plate 20, having an annular flange 21, is secured by rivets 22 to the head 11 with the flange projecting into the hole 13. The bore of the plate has a left-hand or 'anticlockwise thread for a purpose to be described. The cover for the bung-hole consists of a round plate 23 having a depending concentric boss 24 which, when the cover is in place, extends through the hole 13 into the container, andwhich is provided with a diametrical slot 25 to vreceive the extremity of the shank of the stirrer blade, so that, when the cover is rotated, it will effect the rotation of the blade. In the case of a metal container, the boss 24 has its lower portion unthreaded, and itsvupper portion provided with a left-hand thread 26. Consequently, to secure the cover and4 seal the hole, the cover is rotated anti-clockwise until it clamps against the plate 20, a suitable gasket threaded portion thereof is unscrewed from the plate, whereupon it may be lifted out of place by hand. It will be noted, however, that, when the cover has been unscrewed from the plate, nevertheless the lower nonthreaded portion of the boss extends a considerable distance downwardly from the top of the plate 20 and is still in engagement with the end of the shank of the stirrer or agitator blade, .and that, consequently, the continued rotation of the crank handle and the cover clockwise will cause the rotation of the stirrer blade without effecting the dislocation of the cover, or uncovering the hole. In the case of a container having a wooden head 300, as shown in Fig. 5, I may dispense with a threaded plate or bushing, and use a cover indicated at 31, the concentric boss 32 of which has a rotative fit in the hole. Between the head of the cover and the barrel head is placed a gasket 33 to prevent leakage. To seal the cover, as when the container is to be shipped, wood screws 34 are passed through countersunk apertures 35 into the barrel head. The boss 32 has a diametrical groove to receive the upper end of the blade, and has sockets 36 similar to those atl 28 in Fig. 4. To facilitate the operative engagement of the cover with the blade, the groove or slot in the boss thereof extends entirely across the boss, and the blade is preferably only a little less in width than the diameter of the aperture into which the boss projects. As a matter of nomenclature or phraseology to define its two-fold functions, I may refer to the elements 23 and 31 as cover-clutches, the upper or heady portion serving as the cover for the bung-hole, and the slotted boss as the clutch. In a wooden barrel or cask, the lower head may have a screw pin 37 screwed therein, to serve as the step bearing or pivot for the blade.

In the manufacture thereof, the metal casks or containers may be equipped at the factory with the pivot stud, clutch cover and stirrer, or the latter may be sold to the user to equip such casks therewith. In the case of wooden barrels, it is easy for the user to apply the agitators thereto, since common wood working tools may be employed in boring the hole (two and one-half inches in diameter, more or less,) in the upper head to receive the cover clutch, and in boring a small hole in the bottom head to receive the screw pin. Because of the fact that the agitator is formed of a flat metal bar, bent and twisted or helicoidal, as described, it may easily be elongated or contracted by bending it at the portions e and f, so as to fit the barrels or containers of different lengths.

After `the agitator has been introduced into the barrel or container and its lower end rotatively engaged with the pivot, the container is then supplied through the bunghole with paint or other liquid or semi-liquld contents, after which the cover clutch is inserted in the hole and engaged with the shank of the blade. It the case of a wooden barrel, the cover is secured leak-tight' by screws, and, in the case of a metal container having the internally threaded plate or bushing, the cover is secured and sealed leak-tight by screwing it home anti-clockwise. ln this condition, the container may be stored or shipped. The cover clutch and the head of the lower stud are within the chimes of the barrel and between the planes of the ends thereof. To use the agitator, the cover clutch is unscrewed clockwise (or the screws 34 are withdrawn) by means of the handle, and the handle is rotated continuously clockwise, the barrel being of course 11p-ended so that the axis of revolution of the agitator is vertical and the shank thereof is uppermost.

From observation of its operation, it appears that, in its revolution about its axis, the horizontal lower radial portion a of the blade scrapes up any sediment or heavier matter which settles on the bottom, and tends to force it outward by centrifugal action. A rotary vortex ona horizontal axis is formed in the mass, if it be Csufliciently liquid in this lower Zone. rl`he curved portion e acts as a scoop to eut, and to lift and throw the mass upwardly and inwardly, and also to create a following inclined whirling vortex. rlhe vertical portion c of the blade, which for a short distance has surfaces radial of its axis of revolution, sweeps the outer portion of the mass around such axis, and tends not only to forma major central vortex in the entire mass, but also to form a minor whirling vertical vortex close to the wall of the container. rThe bent and twisted portion f again scoops and lifts the mass, and tends to throw it upward and outward; the portion l tends to force the mass inwardly, and the vertical shank I) assists in the formation of a main central vortex.

All. of these various vortices tend to collide or smash one against the other, Aso that, assisted by centrifugal action and the frictional resistance of the wall of the container, it requires but a comparatively few revolutions of the agitator to effect a thorough mixture of the mass and the equal distribution of particles of greater specific gravity throughout the mass,

As it sometimes happens, that solid matter tends to settle and adhere in a layer in the container in the angle formed by the lower head and the side wall, l usually employ, with the agitator and as a part thereof, an element l call a dangler. lt consists of a conical or bell-shaped weight 40 hung by a hooked shank Lll to the agitator and particularly to the portion egthereof, so as normally to hang inf, the angle referred to. `When the agitator is revolved, the dangler swings outwardly so as to scrape and lift all solid andV adhering matter out of said angle.

Speaking in general terms, the intermediate portion of the agitator between the shank b and the anchoring or pivoted end.

portion a e. those which l have indicated at e, c, f and d), which are eccentric in respect of the axis of revolution, serve to cut, lift and mix the mass in the container in somewhat the `same fashion as an experienced operative by means of a knife cuts, lifts and mixes a mass manually. Fl'he action on the mass is mainly from the bottoni upwardly, so that, notwithstanding the formation and collision of the various driving vortices which effect a continuing intermixing of various portions or Zones of the mass, the mass tends to circulate downwardly in the center, then outwardly and upwardly, and then inwardly. rlhe blade creates and then overtakes the various driving and following vortices, thus more effectively causing the desired mixing of the different parts of the mass.

Having thus explained the nature of my said invention and described a wa;v of making and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may-be made or all of the modes of its use, what l claim is:

l. rl'he combination with a barrel or container having a bung-hole, of a flat stirrer blade therein revoluble about the axis of the barrel and having a portion intermediate its ends eccentric in respect of said axis, and means by which the opposite ends of said blade are journaled respectively within the barrel.

2. The combination with a barrel or container having a bung-hole, of a flat stirrer blade therein revoluble about the axis of the barrel and having a portion intermediate its ends eccentric in respect of said axis, and a rotatable cover for said hole having provisions for engaging and rotating said stirrer.

3. rlhe combination with a barrel or container having a bung-hole, of a stirrer therein revoluble about the axis of the barrel and consisting of a flat 'blade having a portion intermediate its ends eccentric in respect ofsaid axis, said blade being removable through said bung-hole, a rotatable cover for saidhole havingprovisions for engaging and rotating said stirrer, and means for sealing the cover leak-tight.

et. The combination with a barrel or container having a bung-hole, of a substantially rigid stirrer blade therein revoluble about the axis of the barrel and bent to form a portion intermediate its ends eccentric in respect of said axis, said blade being insertible and removable through said hole, and means by which the ends of the -blade are journaled.

rlthe combination with a barrel or container, having a centrally disposed bunghole in one endy thereof, and an internal pivot member at the other end of a stirrer bar therein consisting of a twisted flat blade having one end located adjacent said hole to permit its revolution and its other end journaled on said pivot.

6. The combination with a barrel or container, having a centrally disposed bunghole in one end thereof, of a flat substantially rigid stirrer bar therein, one end being pivoted to one head and the other end being` located adjacent said hole, said bar being insertible through said bung-hole and having an intermediate eccentric portion.

7. The combination with a barrel or container, having a centrally disposed bunghole in one end thereof, of a rotatable cover for said hole, a stirrer in said container operatively engaged with said cover and insertible into position through said bunghole, and means for rotating said cover to effect the rotation of said bar.

8. The combination with a barrel or container, having a bung-hole, an internal pivot at one end, and having in the other end a rotatable member rotatably journaled in said bung-hole, of a fiat twisted blade having one end operatively engaged with said pivot and its other end operatively engaged with said rotatable member.

9. The combination with a barrel or con-n tainer, having a bung-hole, an internal pivot at one end, and having in the other end, a rotatable member journaled in said bunghole, of a blade having its upper end engaged' with the member, its lower end engaged with said pivot, and an. intermediate eccentric portion located adjacent the Side wall of said container.

10. The combination with a barrel or container, `having an internal pivot at one end, and having a bung-hole in the other end and a rotatable member journaled in said bung-hole, of a blade having a central vertical upper portion engaged with said member, a horizontal lower portion engaged with said pivot, and an intermediate eccentric portion connecting the first two mentioned portions, said blade being removable through said bung-hole.

11. An agitating device for use in barrels, comprising a flat helicoidal blade adapted to rotate about an axis, and having a shank portion at its upper end alined with said axis and a transverse anchoring portion at its lower end, and an ,intermediate offset portion eccentric of such axis.

12. The combination `witha barrel or container having a central internal stud at its lower end, and ak central hole in its upper end, of a rotatable cover having a; clutch member extending into said hole,

and an agitator blade insertible through container having a central internal stud at its lower end, and a central hole in its upper end, of a rotatable cover having a clutch member extending into said hole, an agitator blade insertible through said hole having a vertical upper end operatively engaged with said clutch, a horizontal lower portion whose extremity is rotatively engaged with said stud, and an intermediate portion extending upwardly and inwardly from the lower portion to the upper portion.

14. The combination with a barrel or container having a central internal stud at its lower end, and a central hole in its u, per end, of a rotatable cover having a c utch member extending into said hole, an agitator blade 'insertible through said hole, having its lower end rotatably engaged with said stud and its upper end operatively engaged with said clutch member, and having an intermediate eccentric portion, and a handle for rotating said cover.

15. A stirring device consisting of a blade having ananchoring portion and a shank portion arranged upon a common axis, and having an intermediate portion connecting said anchoring portion and said shank portion, said intermediate portion being eccentric as to said axis and arranged to exercise a cutting action, a lifting action, and a stirring action, when rotating about said axis.

16. A stirring device consisting of a blade having an anchoring portion and a shank portion arranged upon a common axis, and having an intermediate stirring portion olfset radially from said axis, and a portion connecting said anchoring portion with one end of said stirring portion, said connecting portion being arranged to exercise a cutting action and a lifting action, when rotating about said axis.

17. A stirring device consisting of a blade having a shank portion, an anchoring portion coincident with the axis of said shank portion but separated from the latter, a scraper portion extending from said anchoring portion transversely of said axis, a bend at the outer end ofsaid scraper portion arranged to exercise a cutting and lifting actipn, and a stirring portion extending from said bend to said shank portion.

' 18. A stirring attachment for barrels or containers, comprising a cover clutch adapted to extend into a bung-hole and to rotate about the axis thereof, a pivot adapted to be secured in the container, diametrically opposite thehole,l and a helicoidal blade having a shank for operative engagement with said cover clutch, an anchor for rotative engagement with said stud, and an intermedifor the aperture having a boss extending into such aperture, the upper portion of the boss being threaded and the lower part nonthreaded, and a stirrer bar whose lower end is pivoted on the stud and whose upper end is operatively enga ed with said boss. 20. An agitator or barrels or containers, comprising a rotary element having a radial portion adapted to be located approximately near the bottom of such barrel or container and to extend relatively near theside wall thereof, and a member hung loosely upon said radial portion to swing outward by centrifugal action and to operate in the angle formed bythe bottom and side wall of said container.

21. A container for use in connection with a stirrer, such container'being formed of v metal having closed ends, one of such ends being provided with an internal stud and the other being formed or provided with a threaded aperture, and a cover for such aperture adapted to rotate said stirrer, said cover being provided with a boss one portion of which is nonthreaded and another portion of which is threaded, whereby said cover may be screwed into liquid-tight position, and when unscrewed may be rotated with the nonthreaded portion thereof located in the threaded aperture of said container.

In testimony whereof I have aiiXed my signature.

CHARLES E. FARRINGTON. 

